Patents by Inventor Koichi Takamura
Koichi Takamura has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 10240311Abstract: Methods for reducing the size of an oil slick on a water surface or on a water surface when ice is present are described. Spreading of oil can be reversed by reducing the surface tension of the seawater, for example, by using a low concentration of at least one water-soluble surfactant, such as a non-ionic surfactant. A controlled amount of the surfactant or surfactant mixture may be discharged over time at the inner-wall of a spill control boom surrounding the oil spill, or within the vicinity of the oil spill in the absence of control booms using a soaker hose or a floating polyethylene or polypropylene hose impregnated with surfactant, whereby the confinement and contraction of the oil slick is maintained by compensating for dissolved surfactant and surfactant moving away from the oil slick. Water-soluble surfactants are typically solids or gels at low temperatures when no organic co-solvent is added to the surfactant.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2015Date of Patent: March 26, 2019Assignee: University of WyomingInventors: Koichi Takamura, Norman R. Morrow, Nina Loahardjo, Winoto
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Patent number: 9797109Abstract: A method for retracting oil on a water surface, and a method for reducing the quantity of oil on an oil control boom are described. Spreading of oil can be reversed by reducing the surface tension of the seawater, for example by using a low concentration of a water-soluble surfactant, such as a non-ionic surfactant. A controlled amount of the surfactant may be continuously discharged at the inner-wall of a spill control boom surrounding the oil spill. The spilled oil is caused to retract away from the boom toward the center of the area encircled thereby, such that the oil layer becomes sufficiently thick to be more effectively removed mechanically. The surfactant also reduces the amount of oil on the spill control boom, whereby the boom can easily be removed from a remediated oil spill and reused at a later date without further cleaning.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2012Date of Patent: October 24, 2017Assignee: University of WyomingInventors: Koichi Takamura, Norman R. Morrow, Nina Loahardjo, Winoto Winoto
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Patent number: 9657112Abstract: Co-agglomerated dispersions and methods for their preparation are described herein. The co-agglomerated dispersions are prepared by co-agglomerating an anionic polymer dispersion and inert particles. The polymers for use in the co-agglomerated dispersions are derived from one or more monomers including at least one conjugated diene monomer. The inert particles have a particle size of less than 2 ?m. Also described herein is an aqueous dispersion including co-agglomerated particles formed from at least one polymer and at least one inert material. Further described herein are foamed polymers, latex-based adhesives, waterproofing membranes, sound absorbing coatings, and methods for their preparation and use.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2010Date of Patent: May 23, 2017Assignee: BASF SEInventors: Koichi Takamura, Kostas S. Avramidis
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Publication number: 20170066847Abstract: Co-agglomerated dispersions and methods for their preparation are described herein. The co-agglomerated dispersions are prepared by co-agglomerating an anionic polymer dispersion and inert particles. The polymers for use in the co-agglomerated dispersions are derived from one or more monomers including at least one conjugated diene monomer. The inert particles have a particle size of less than 2 ?m. Also described herein is an aqueous dispersion including co-agglomerated particles formed from at least one polymer and at least one inert material. Further described herein are foamed polymers, latex-based adhesives, waterproofing membranes, sound absorbing coatings, and methods for their preparation and use.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2016Publication date: March 9, 2017Applicant: BASF SEInventors: Koichi TAKAMURA, Kostas S. AVRAMIDIS
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Patent number: 9290651Abstract: The invention is a method of producing an essentially electrically neutral polymer dispersion, comprising a polymerizing one or more monomers in the presence of a nonionic surfactant, wherein the polymerization preferably occurs in the absence of ionic surfactants. The invention also includes methods of producing positively or negatively charged polymer dispersions comprising producing the essentially nonionic polymer dispersion and further adding a cationically-charged or anionically-charged surfactant or electrolyte. The invention further includes dispersions produced by the methods of the invention and polymer films and powders produced from these dispersions.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2013Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: BASF SEInventors: Koichi Takamura, Armin Burghart
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Publication number: 20160017560Abstract: Methods for reducing the size of an oil slick on a water surface or on a water surface when ice is present are described. Spreading of oil can be reversed by reducing the surface tension of the seawater, for example, by using a low concentration of at least one water-soluble surfactant, such as a non-ionic surfactant. A controlled amount of the surfactant or surfactant mixture may be discharged over time at the inner-wall of a spill control boom surrounding the oil spill, or within the vicinity of the oil spill in the absence of control booms using a soaker hose or a floating polyethylene or polypropylene hose impregnated with surfactant, whereby the confinement and contraction of the oil slick is maintained by compensating for dissolved surfactant and surfactant moving away from the oil slick. Water-soluble surfactants are typically solids or gels at low temperatures when no organic co-solvent is added to the surfactant.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2015Publication date: January 21, 2016Inventors: Koichi Takamura, Norman R. Morrow, Nina Loahardjo, Winoto
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Patent number: 8735472Abstract: The invention is a method of treating, restoring or sealing a surface comprising applying an emulsion comprising a latex polymer, a cationic emulsifier, and optionally a recycling agent to the surface to wet the surface and depositing a surface treatment layer on the surface, wherein the depositing step occurs while the surface is wetted. The invention also includes a surface pretreatment composition comprising water, at least one acrylic latex polymer, an aromatic recycling agent, and at least one cationic emulsifier. Furthermore, the invention includes the surface resulting from the application of the emulsion used in the invention and concentrated emulsions for use with the surface treatment composition.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2012Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: BASF SEInventors: Koichi Takamura, Armin Burghart, William Kirk
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Publication number: 20130253133Abstract: The invention is a method of producing an essentially electrically neutral polymer dispersion, comprising a polymerizing one or more monomers in the presence of a nonionic surfactant, wherein the polymerization preferably occurs in the absence of ionic surfactants. The invention also includes methods of producing positively or negatively charged polymer dispersions comprising producing the essentially nonionic polymer dispersion and further adding a cationically-charged or anionically-charged surfactant or electrolyte. The invention further includes dispersions produced by the methods of the invention and polymer films and powders produced from these dispersions.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2013Publication date: September 26, 2013Applicant: BASF SEInventors: Koichi Takamura, Armin Burghart
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Publication number: 20130168324Abstract: A method for retracting oil on a water surface, and a method for reducing the quantity of oil on an oil control boom are described. Spreading of oil can be reversed by reducing the surface tension of the seawater, for example by using a low concentration of a water-soluble surfactant, such as a non-ionic surfactant. A controlled amount of the surfactant may be continuously discharged at the inner-wall of a spill control boom surrounding the oil spill. The spilled oil is caused to retract away from the boom toward the center of the area encircled thereby, such that the oil layer becomes sufficiently thick to be more effectively removed mechanically. The surfactant also reduces the amount of oil on the spill control boom, whereby the boom can easily be removed from a remediated oil spill and reused at a later date without further cleaning.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2012Publication date: July 4, 2013Inventors: Koichi Takamura, Noman R. Morrow, Nina Loahardjo, Winoto Winoto
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Patent number: 8410211Abstract: The invention is a method of producing an essentially electrically neutral polymer dispersion, comprising a polymerizing one or more monomers in the presence of a nonionic surfactant, wherein the polymerization preferably occurs in the absence of ionic surfactants. The invention also includes methods of producing positively or negatively charged polymer dispersions comprising producing the essentially nonionic polymer dispersion and further adding a cationically-charged or anionically-charged surfactant or electrolyte. The invention further includes dispersions produced by the methods of the invention and polymer films and powders produced from these dispersions.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2011Date of Patent: April 2, 2013Assignee: BASF SEInventors: Koichi Takamura, Armin Burghart
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Patent number: 8383722Abstract: The invention is a method of producing an essentially electrically neutral polymer dispersion, comprising a polymerizing one or more monomers in the presence of a nonionic surfactant, wherein the polymerization preferably occurs in the absence of ionic surfactants. The invention also includes methods of producing positively or negatively charged polymer dispersions comprising producing the essentially nonionic polymer dispersion and further adding a cationically-charged or anionically-charged surfactant or electrolyte. The invention further includes dispersions produced by the methods of the invention and polymer films and powders produced from these dispersions.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2012Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: BASF SEInventors: Koichi Takamura, Armin Burghart
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Publication number: 20120322922Abstract: The invention is a method of treating, restoring or sealing a surface comprising applying an emulsion comprising a latex polymer, a cationic emulsifier, and optionally a recycling agent to the surface to wet the surface and depositing a surface treatment layer on the surface, wherein the depositing step occurs while the surface is wetted. The invention also includes a surface pretreatment composition comprising water, at least one acrylic latex polymer, an aromatic recycling agent, and at least one cationic emulsifier. Furthermore, the invention includes the surface resulting from the application of the emulsion used in the invention and concentrated emulsions for use with the surface treatment composition.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2012Publication date: December 20, 2012Applicant: BASF SEInventors: Koichi Takamura, Armin Burghart, William Kirk
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Publication number: 20120277374Abstract: The invention is a method of producing an essentially electrically neutral polymer dispersion, comprising a polymerizing one or more monomers in the presence of a nonionic surfactant, wherein the polymerization preferably occurs in the absence of ionic surfactants. The invention also includes methods of producing positively or negatively charged polymer dispersions comprising producing the essentially nonionic polymer dispersion and further adding a cationically-charged or anionically-charged surfactant or electrolyte. The invention further includes dispersions produced by the methods of the invention and polymer films and powders produced from these dispersions.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2012Publication date: November 1, 2012Applicant: BASF SEInventors: Koichi Takamura, Amin Burghart
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Patent number: 8287945Abstract: The invention is a method of treating, restoring or sealing a surface comprising applying an emulsion comprising a latex polymer, a cationic emulsifier, and optionally a recycling agent to the surface to wet the surface and depositing a surface treatment layer on the surface, wherein the depositing step occurs while the surface is wetted. The invention also includes a surface pretreatment composition comprising water, at least one acrylic latex polymer, an aromatic recycling agent, and at least one cationic emulsifier. Furthermore, the invention includes the surface resulting from the application of the emulsion used in the invention and concentrated emulsions for use with the surface treatment composition.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2007Date of Patent: October 16, 2012Assignee: BASF SEInventors: Koichi Takamura, Armin Burghart, William Kirk
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Patent number: 8217111Abstract: The invention is a method of producing an essentially electrically neutral polymer dispersion, comprising a polymerizing one or more monomers in the presence of a nonionic surfactant, wherein the polymerization preferably occurs in the absence of ionic surfactants. The invention also includes methods of producing positively or negatively charged polymer dispersions comprising producing the essentially nonionic polymer dispersion and further adding a cationically-charged or anionically-charged surfactant or electrolyte. The invention further includes dispersions produced by the methods of the invention and polymer films and powders produced from these dispersions.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2007Date of Patent: July 10, 2012Assignee: BASF SEInventors: Koichi Takamura, Armin Burghart
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Publication number: 20120090781Abstract: Co-agglomerated dispersions and methods for their preparation are described herein. The co-agglomerated dispersions are prepared by co-agglomerating an anionic polymer dispersion and inert particles. The polymers for use in the co-agglomerated dispersions are derived from one or more monomers including at least one conjugated diene monomer. The inert particles have a particle size of less than 2 ?m. Also described herein is an aqueous dispersion including co-agglomerated particles formed from at least one polymer and at least one inert material. Further described herein are foamed polymers, latex-based adhesives, waterproofing membranes, sound absorbing coatings, and methods for their preparation and use.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2010Publication date: April 19, 2012Applicant: BASF SEInventor: Koichi Takamura
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Publication number: 20120077909Abstract: The invention is a method of producing an essentially electrically neutral polymer dispersion, comprising a polymerizing one or more monomers in the presence of a nonionic surfactant, wherein the polymerization preferably occurs in the absence of ionic surfactants. The invention also includes methods of producing positively or negatively charged polymer dispersions comprising producing the essentially nonionic polymer dispersion and further adding a cationically-charged or anionically-charged surfactant or electrolyte. The invention further includes dispersions produced by the methods of the invention and polymer films and powders produced from these dispersions.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2011Publication date: March 29, 2012Applicant: BASF SEInventors: Koichi Takamura, Armin Burghart
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Publication number: 20100047015Abstract: The invention is a cost-effective method and formulation for cold paving applications that can be used to convert an unpaved surface, such as a gravel or dirt roadway, into a paved surface. The method includes applying an asphalt emulsion comprising asphalt, water, one or more emulsifiers, and a polymer to an existing unpaved surface to provide a layer of asphalt emulsion. An aggregate is then deposited over the emulsion layer to form a paved surface. The asphalt emulsion is formulated so that it can be used in a wide variety of conditions and with locally available aggregate. The set rate and viscosity of the asphalt emulsion can be selected so that it is able to penetrate partially into the unpaved surface to further improve the stability and rain resistance of the roadway.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2008Publication date: February 25, 2010Applicant: BASF SEInventors: Koichi Takamura, Armin Burghart, William Kirk
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Publication number: 20090298998Abstract: The invention is a method of producing an essentially electrically neutral polymer dispersion, comprising a polymerizing one or more monomers in the presence of a nonionic surfactant, wherein the polymerization preferably occurs in the absence of ionic surfactants. The invention also includes methods of producing positively or negatively charged polymer dispersions comprising producing the essentially nonionic polymer dispersion and further adding a cationically-charged or anionically-charged surfactant or electrolyte. The invention further includes dispersions produced by the methods of the invention and polymer films and powders produced from these dispersions.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2007Publication date: December 3, 2009Applicant: BASF SEInventors: Koichi Takamura, Armin Burghart
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Publication number: 20090252972Abstract: The invention is a product, comprising a substrate and a film that limits the transmission of water vapor comprising a polymer derived from one or more nonionic monomers polymerized in the presence of at least one nonionic surfactant and in the absence of ionic surfactants. The cloud temperature of the at least one nonionic surfactant is preferably less than the polymerization temperature. The nonionic surfactant is preferably an alkylene oxide adduct of an alkyl alcohol, alkylbenzene alcohol or dialkylbenzene alcohol, wherein the number of alkylene oxide groups is less than or equal to 14.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2007Publication date: October 8, 2009Applicant: BASF SEInventors: Armin Burghart, Koichi Takamura